Trauma Therapy in Richmond, Williamsburg, Newport News, and Virtually Throughout Virginia
Trauma doesn’t have to control you. We can help.
You may feel out of control. You may have thought you could use your mind and just pull through, but you haven’t felt like yourself. You know you are safe, but the world feels scary. You can’t seem to find peace.
Before your trauma, life seemed more manageable. You believed you could handle life’s challenges. But lately things just don’t feel right. You look around and wonder what life would be like if the trauma had never happened.
So here you are, thinking you should be past it, but wondering if you will ever feel like yourself again.
Every day is unpredictable. You don’t know if this will be a day you can function or if you will find yourself numb, tearful, or in a constant state of alertness.
Some days you know your trauma was serious. Other days you wonder if you are overreacting. Whatever you call it, you know you want to feel normal. You function day to day, you do the things you are supposed to do, but deep down you know you are not experiencing the fullness of life for which you were made.
What Is Trauma?
Trauma is an emotional response to a negative life experience in which fear and a loss of control are experienced. It can come from a single event or from ongoing difficult circumstances. Symptoms can include flashbacks, unpredictable emotions, strained relationships, avoidance, and in some cases, physical symptoms such as headaches or difficulty sleeping.
Traumatic memories are stored in the body and brain differently from other memories. As a result, those memories can be relived along with all of the associated emotions at unexpected times.
EMDR Therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) works by changing the way traumatic or negative memories are stored in the brain. Using your body’s natural memory processing system, EMDR helps you resolve unprocessed memories to bring peace and healing. It’s an evidence-based treatment with a strong research foundation for trauma and PTSD.
Our Approach
Our therapists use trauma-informed care in every session. We recognize that healing from trauma requires safety, trust, and a pace that is right for you. In addition to EMDR, our therapists draw on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based approaches depending on your needs and preferences.